Functions and Transformation of Functions

Functions and Transformations of Functions – HMC Calculus Tutorial

We will review some of the important concepts dealing with functions and transformations of functions. Most likely you have encountered each of these ideas previously, but here we will tie the concepts together.

Definition of a Function

Let $A$ and $B$ be sets.

A function $F:A\to B$ is a relation that assigns to each $x\in A$ a unique $y\in B$. We write $y=f(x)$ and call $y$ the value of $f$ at $x$ or the image of $x$ under $f$. We also say that $f$ maps $x$ to $y$.

The set $A$ is called the domain of $f$. The set of all possible values of $f(x)$ in $B$ is called the range of $f$. Here, we will only consider real-valued functions of a real variable, so $A$ and $B$ will both be subsets of the real numbers. If $A$ is left unspecified, we will assume it to be the largest set of real numbers such that for all $x\in A$, $f(x)$ is real.

Examples

Open the menu to see the graph of that function as well as its domain and range.

Follow the image link for a complete description of the image

Even/Odd Functions

A function $f:A\to B$ is said to be even if and only if \[f(-x)=f(x)\quad {\small\textrm{for all }} x\in A\] and is said to be odd if and only if \[f(-x)=-f(x)\quad {\small\textrm{for all }} x\in A.\] Most functions are neither even nor odd.

The graph of an even function is symmetric about the y-axis, while the graph of an odd function is symmetric about the origin.

Symmetry about the y-axis Symmetry about the $y$-axis

The graph of $y=f(x)$ is symmetric about the $y$-axis if and only if \[f(-x)=f(x)\quad {\small\textrm{for all }}x{\small\textrm{ in the domain.}}\] Here are three intuitive ways to view this symmetry:

Positive and negative values of $x$ yield the same results.
The left and right “sides” of the graph are “mirror images” of each other.
If you reflect the curve about the $y$-axis, the graph is unchanged.

Symmetry about the Origin Symmetry about the Origin

The graph of $y=f(x)$ is symmetric about the origin if and only if \[f(-x)=-f(x)\quad {\small\textrm{for all }}x{\small\textrm{ in the domain.}}\] Here is an intuitive way to view this symmetry:

If you start at a point on the curve, draw a line segment through that point and the origin, and extend it an equal distance past the origin, you arrive at another point on the curve.

Of the functions in the example,

$f(x)=x^2$ is even.
$f(x)=\sin x$ is odd.
The others are neither even nor odd.

Transformations of Functions

We will examine four classes of transformations, each applied to the function $f(x)=\sin x$ in the graphing examples.

Horizontal translation: $g(x)=f(x+c)$.
The graph is translated $c$ units to the left if $c > 0$ and $c$ units to the right if $c < 0$.

Vertical translation: $g(x)=f(x)+k$.
The graph is translated $k$ units upward if $k > 0$ and $k$ units downward if $k < 0$.

Change of amplitude: $g(x)=Af(x)$.
The amplitude of the graph is increased by a factor of $A$ if $|A| > 1$ and decreased by a factor of $A$ if $|A| < 1$. In addition, if $A < 0$ the graph is inverted.

Change of scale: $g(x)=f(ax)$.
The graph is “compressed” if $|a| > 1$ and “stretched out” if $|a| < 1$. In addition, if $a < 0$ the graph is reflected about the $y$-axis.

Key Concepts

function

F: $A\longrightarrow B$ is a relation that assigns to each $x \in A$ a unique $y \in B$. We write $y = f(x)$ and call $y$ the

value of $f$ at $x$

or the

image of $x$ under $f$

. We also say that $f$

maps

$x$ to $y$.

The set $A$ is called the domain of $f$. The set of all possible values of $f(x)$ in $B$ is called the range of $f$.

Each of these transformations takes a function $f$ and produces a new function $g$:

Horizontal translation: $g(x) = f(x+c)$.
The graph is translated $c$ units to the left if $c > 0$ and $c$ units to the right if $c < 0$.
Vertical translation: $g(x) = f(x)+k$.
The graph is translated $k$ units upward if $k > 0$ and $k$ units downward if $k < 0$.
Change of amplitude: $g(x) = Af(x)$.
The amplitude of the graph is increased by a factor of $A$ if $|A| > 1$ and decreased by a factor of $A$ if $|A| < 1$. In addition, if $A < 0$ the graph is inverted.
Change of scale: $g(x) = f(ax)$.
The graph is “compressed” if $|a| > 1$ and “stretched out” if $|a| < 1$. In addition, if $a < 0$ the graph is reflected about the $y$-axis.

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